Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") is considering a Commercial Availability Request for a certain corduroy fabric, file number: 3.2013.02.22.Fabric.AM&SforBellaBliss, as specified below.

Responses are due by 11:59 P.M. (EST), March 8, 2013. Rebuttals are due by 11:59 P.M. (EST), March 14, 2013.

NOTE: The yarn size designations describe a range of yarn specifications for yarn in its greige condition before dyeing and finishing of the yarn (if applicable) and before knitting, dyeing and finishing of the fabric. They are intended as specifications to be followed by the mill in sourcing yarn used to produce the fabric. However, because dyeing, finishing, and knitting can alter the characteristic of the yarn as it appears in the finished fabric, the specification therefore includes yarns appearing in the finished fabric as finer or coarser than the designated yarn sizes provided that the variation occurs after processing of the greige yarn and production of the fabric. In addition, while the fabric is intended to be piece-dyed, the specifications include both piece- and yarn-dyed to accommodate any Customs' findings that the finished fabric appears to be yarn-dyed as a result of dye absorption.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Protective Products Enterprises Inc. ("PPE"), Sunrise, Fla., was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM1C1-12-D-1026/P00009. The modification is a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $79,528,733 for improved outer tactical vests and components. Location of performance is in Florida with a Feb. 27, 2014 performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2014 Defense Working Capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

Capps Shoe Co., Lynchburg, Va., was awarded contract SPM1C1-12-D-1030. The award is a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $6,873,060 for men's poromeric shoes. Location of performance is Virginia with a Feb. 27, 2014 performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Marine Corps. There was one response to the Bidders List solicitation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 Defense Working Capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") is considering two Commercial Availability Requests for a certain three-thread fleece fabrics, file numbers: 177.2013.02.21.Fabric.SoriniSametforGaranMfg and 178.2013.02.21.Fabric.SoriniSametforGaranMfg, as specified below.

NOTE: The attributes listed for yarn size relate to the size of the yarn prior to knitting. The measuremetns for fabric construction and weight relate to the fabric prior to garment production. Some variations may occur in these measurements as a result of the manufacturing process.

NOTE (Finishing): A soft hand pigment is a known industry term. It refers a process which involves the use of special binding agents, typically acrylic polymers used to affix the pigments to fabrics. The bonding agents used in soft hand pigment printing process have lower glass transition temperatures. The glass-transition, or glass transition, is the reversible transitionin amorphous materials (or in amorphous regions within semi-crystalline materials) from a hard and relatively brittle state into a molten or rubber-like state.

NOTE: The attributes listed for yarn size relate to the size of the yarn prior to knitting. The measuremetns for fabric construction and weight relate to the fabric prior to garment production. Some variations may occur in these measurements as a result of the manufacturing process.

Friday, February 22, 2013

The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business ("ITAC-11") will hold a meeting on Monday, March 4, 2013. The meeting will be opened to the public from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Suite M800, Training Room A, Washington, D.C. 20004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Hellstern, Designated Federal Officer ("DFO") for ITAC-11 at (202) 482-3222, Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230.
The Agenda topics to be discussed are:

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel ("OTEXA") has launched a Made in the U.S.A. Sourcing Database! The purpose of this database is to list U.S.A manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors. This self-registered and searchable database is available to the public through OTEXA’s website at http://otexa.ita.doc.gov/MadeInUSA.htm and can be a useful tool for those seeking to locate/source Made-in-U.S.A. textiles, apparel and footwear products.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection ("COAC") will meet on March 6, 2013, in Washington, D.C. from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. The meeting will be open to the public.

The meeting will be held at Ronald Reagan Building in the Horizon Ballroom, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20229. All visitors to the Ronald Reagan Building must show a state-issued ID or Passport to proceed through the security checkpoint for admittance to the building.

For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact Ms. Wanda Tate, Office of Trade Relations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection at 202-344-1661 as soon as possible.

Comments must be submitted in writing no later than February 25, 2013, and must be identified by USCBP-2013-0004 and may be submitted by one of the following methods:

Instructions: All submissions received must include the words "Department of Homeland Security" and the docket number for this action.

Agenda

The COAC will hear from the following subcommittees on the topics listed below and then will review, deliberate, provide observations and formulate recommendations on how to proceed on those topics:

1. Discuss Statement of Work and Next Steps for the Trade Modernization Subcommittee which will address Centers of Excellence and Expertise ("CEEs"), the Automated Commercial Environment ("ACE"), Role of the Broker issues throughout the 13th Term.

2. Discuss Next steps regarding the One U.S. Government at the Border Subcommittee since the approval of the Master Principles Document on January 15, 2012.

3. Discuss Statement of Work and Next Steps for the Trade Enforcement and Revenue Collection Subcommittee which will address Revenue, Intellectual Property Rights and Antidumping/Countervailing Duties ("AD/CVD") issues throughout the 13th Term.

4. Discuss the Statement of Work and Next Steps regarding the Trusted Trader subcommittee which will address Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ("C-TPAT"), Importer Self-Assessment ("ISA") and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) issues throughout the 13th Term.

5. Discuss the Statement of Work and Next Steps regarding the Global Supply Chain Subcommittee which will address Air Cargo Security and Land Border issues throughout the 13th Term.

6. Discuss the Statement of Work and Next Steps regarding the Exports Subcommittee.

Agathon Associates principal, David Trumbull, was quoted recently in www.just-style.com regarding the implication, for President Obama's proposed free trade agreement with the European Union, of the differing tax regimes of the United States and the European Union.

Monday, February 18, 2013

In his State of the Union address on February 12, 2013, President Barack Obama announced that the Administration plans to notify Congress of its intent to launch negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union ("EU").

If President Obama can negotiate a free trade agreement with the EU, it'll be a huge deal. According to information on the website of the United States Trade Representative, daily trade in goods and services between the U.S. and the EU totals $2.7 billion (€2.0 billion). Not only are the EU Member States, among our biggest trading partners, they also present substantial challenges if the goal is to increase U.S. exports.

Reconciling the differing regulatory regimes of the U.S. and the EU will be a huge undertaking. Currenly, many U.S. producers find it exceedly difficult, and in some cases impossible, to eport to the EU in compliance with the European Community law regarding Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances ("REACH"). The law entered into force on June 1, 2007, and has been viewed by some in the U.S. as more of a non-tariff barrier to keep out U.S. goods than a legitimate environmental protection or workplace or consumer product safety regulation.

Another huge barrier to U.S. exports to the EU that is unlikely to be addressed by the free trade negotiations is the Value Added Tax ("VAT") of the Member States of the EU. According the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition ("AMTAC"), a Washington-based group that advocates for policies favorable to domestic manufacturing, the Member States of the EU have a history of increasing their VATs as they reduce import duties, in that way maintaining the same level of protectionism while appearing to lower barriers. AMTAC has noted that in 1968 the average import tariff imposed by the Member States of the EU was 10% tariff and the average VAT was 14%, making for a combined cost of exporting to the EU of 24%. By 2006, after several rounds of reductions in import duties the combined tariff plus VAT was still 24% (4% average tariff and 20% average VAT). The U.S. charges no VAT, so if a free trade agreement is implemented with the EU, the 27 EU Member States will be able to export to the U.S. with no duty and no VAT. U.S. companies trying to export to the EU will still have to pay the VAT, even after tariffs are eliminated. The VAT is not trivial, averaging around 20%. And if history is an indicator, we can expect the VAT to rise if tariffs are reduced or eliminated.

The table below shows the current VAT for each of the EU Member States. (Source: European Commission VAT Rates Applied in the Member States of the European Union, Situation at 14 January 2013.)

Friday, February 15, 2013

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has published its notice modifying Annex 3.25 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (“CAFTA-DR”) to add certain three-layered composite fabric, as specified below, in unrestricted quantities, to the list of products determined to be not commercially available in a timely manner in the territory of any Party to the CAFTA-DR.

Remarks: Ranges above allow for a variance of up to five (5) percent for fabric weight, thread count and three (3) percent for fiber content and yarn size NOTE: The yarn size designations describe a range of yarn specifications for yarn before knitting, dyeing and finishing of the fabric. They are intended as specifications to be followed by the mill in sourcing yarn used to produce the fabric Dyeing, finishing and knitting can alter the characteristic of the yarn as it appears in the finished fabric This specification therefore includes yarns appearing in the finished fabric as finer or coarser than the designated yarn sizes provided that the variation occurs after processing of the greige yarn and production of the fabric. The specifications for the fabric apply to the fabric itself prior to cutting and sewing of the finished garment. Such processing may alter the measurements.

The U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel ("OTEXA") has launched a Made in the U.S.A. Sourcing Database! The purpose of this database is to list U.S.A manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors. This self-registered and searchable database is available to the public through OTEXA’s website at http://otexa.ita.doc.gov/MadeInUSA.htm and can be a useful tool for those seeking to locate/source Made-in-U.S.A. textiles, apparel and footwear products.

The 16th round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership ("TPP") negotiations will take place at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore from March 4-13, 2013. Registration is now open for TPP stakeholders interested in participating in stakeholder events at https://mti-tpp.invite.sg/stakeholder/

Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") is considering a Commercial Availability Request for a certain three-layer composite fabric as specified below.

Responses are due by 11:59 P.M. (EST), February 21, 2013. Rebuttals are due by 11:59 P.M. (EST), February 27, 2013. Include file number 176.2013.02.06.Fabric.SoriniSametforPatagoniaInc in all submissions and dialogue pertaining to this Request.

The original signed hard copy of Responses and Rebuttals must be received mailed via express courier to:

Kim Glas, Chairman
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
U.S. Department of Commerce
Room 30001, Washington, DC 20230

NOTE (ranges): Ranges in these specifications reflect a tolerance from the target figures of up to three percent for fiber content, yarn size, and thread count; up to ten percent for weight; and up to five centimeters (two inches) for width.

NOTE (processing variations): The yarn size designations describe a range of yarn specifications for yarn before knitting, dyeing and finishing of the fabric. They are intended as specifications to be followed by the mill in sourcing yarn used to produce the fabric. Dyeing, finishing, and knitting can alter the characteristic of the yarn as it appears in the finished fabric. These specifications therefore include yarns appearing in the finished fabric as finer or coarser than the designated yarn sizes provided that the variation occurs after processing of the greige yarn and production of the fabric. The specifications for the fabric apply to the fabric itself prior to cutting and sewing of the finished garment Such processing may alter the measurements.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") is relocating its office from the U.S. Mint Annex Building at 799 9th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. to 90 K Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20229-1177. All correspondence, including ruling requests and mailed comments regarding 19 U.S.C. 1625 modifications or revocations (see 19 CFR 177.12), should be directed to the new address, as follows: Regulations and Rulings, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 90 K St. N.E., (10th Floor), Washington, D.C. 20229-1177.

After February 4, 2013, anyone wishing to view the mailed comments that were submitted to Regulations and Rulings in response to a 1625 modification or revocation (19 CFR 177.12) published in the Federal Register should come to the new office location specified in the preceding paragraph. It is highly recommended that a person first call Mr. Joseph Clark at (202) 325-0118 to schedule an appointment in advance to view the comments. Please note that all office phone numbers remain the same. The main office phone number is 202-325-0100.

The FTZ Board will be holding outreach events in Washington, DC on February 13, 2013. See below for RSVP information. There is no charge for the outreach events, which are scheduled for the day after a FTZ-related industry seminar in Washington.

The details of the two events on February 13 are:

9:00 a.m. to noon – General training open to anyone interested in attending (including grantees) – Will cover submission of the annual report, provisions of the 2012 regulations, plus enable Q & A/discussion.

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Outreach session for officials of grantee organizations – Will focus on the grantee’s submission of the annual report, regulatory provisions that have a direct impact on the grantee role (including zone schedule requirements), and enable Q & A/discussion.

The events will be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce building, located at 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20230. Registration os required. To register, please e-mail ftz@trade.gov or call Marsha Foust at (202) 482-2862 no later than February 8, 2012. Each RSVP should include the individual’s name and title (plus, for the grantee event, the grantee organization/public agency of which the event attendee is an official).

Friday, February 1, 2013

On January 28, 2013, the Foreign Trade Zone Board published (78 FR 5773) notice that the application for manufacturing authority under zone procedures within Foreign Trade Zone ("FTZ") 158 on behalf of Morgan Fabrics Corporation ("MFC"), as described in the application and Federal Register notice, is approved, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board's regulations, including Section 400.13, and further subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

On January 28, 2012, the Department of Commerce published (78 FR 5775) Notice of Allocation of Tariff Rate Quotas ("TRQ") on the Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics for Calendar Year 2013

HTS 9902.51.11, fabrics, of worsted wool, with average fiber diameter greater than 18.5 micron, certified by the importer as suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers (provided for in subheading 5112.11.60 and 5112.19.95). Amount allocated: 5,500,000 square meters.

Adrian Jules Ltd.--Rochester, NY

Gil Sewing Corp.--Chicago, IL

HMX, LLC--New York, NY

Hugo Boss Fashions, Inc.--Brooklyn, OH

J.A. Apparel Corp.--New York, NY

John H. Daniel Co.--Knoxville, TN

Miller's Oath--New York, NY

Saint Laurie Ltd.--New York, NY

Tom James Co.--Franklin, TN

Warren Sewell Clothing Co., Inc.--Bremen, GA

HTS 9902.51.15, fabrics, of worsted wool, with average fiber diameter of 18.5 micron or less, certified by the importer as suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers (provided for in subheading 5112.11.30 and 5112.19.60). Amount allocated: 5,000,000 square meters.

Adrian Jules Ltd.--Rochester, NY

Brooks Brothers Group--New York, NY

Elevee Custom Clothing--Van Nuys, CA

Gil Sewing Corp.--Chicago, IL

HMX, LLC--New York, NY

Hugo Boss Fashions, Inc.--Brooklyn, OH

J.A. Apparel Corp.--New York, NY

John H. Daniel Co.--Knoxville, TN

Martin Greenfield Clothiers--Brooklyn, NY

Miller's Oath--New York, NY

Saint Laurie Ltd.--New York, NY

Shelton and Company--East Rutherford, NJ

Southwick Apparel LLC--Haverhill, MA

Tom James Co.--Franklin, TN

Warren Sewell Clothing Co., Inc.--Bremen, GA

HTS 9902.51.16, fabrics, of worsted wool, with average fiber diameter of 18.5 micron or less, certified by the importer as suitable for use in making men's and boy's suits (provided for in subheading 5112.11.30 and 5112.19.60). Amount allocated: 2,000,000 square meters.

The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements ("CITA") has published its notice modifying Annex 3.25 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement ("DR-CAFTA") to add certain cotton/polyester three-end circular knit fleece fabric, as specified below, in unrestricted quantities, to the list of products determined to be not commercially available in a timely manner in the territory of any Party to the CAFTA-DR.

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